BAE Wins BGP16.8 M Illuminating Shell Contract

BAE Systems has been awarded a £16.8 million contract to produce 105mm illuminating artillery shells, L43A5, for the U.K. Ministry of Defence (MoD).

“This award builds on more than 45 years of 105mm Illuminating Shell development,” said Lena Gillström, managing director of Weapon Systems, Sweden at BAE Systems. “Variants of the 105mm Illuminating Shell have been used by multiple armed forces around the world and continues to be one of the best solutions to meet a 105mm illuminating artillery shell capability.”

Upon completion of this contract, BAE Systems will have delivered more than 60,000 rounds of 105mm white and infrared illuminating artillery shells to the U.K. MoD.

Series production starts immediately and the rounds will be delivered from 2014 through 2016. Final assembly will occur at BAE Systems facility in Karlskoga, Sweden. The L43A5 can be fired from the 105mm Light Gun, currently in service with the United Kingdom and many other armed forces around the world.